Adding brake fluid

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Oct 29, 2015 | 07:36 PM

#21

gsflyer2011

Drifting

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From: Boca Raton Florida

I do that too! I was wondering if anyone else thought of it. With my clutch i suck out the old fluid, fill it up with new and let the clutching during driving do the work. After 3 to 4 cycles like that my clutch fluid is completely new and perfect. I do the same with my brake fluid, going on 5 years now the fluid looks like new. I was wondering if it was able to get all the way to the pistons. I guess i need to bleed one caliper to see if the brake fluid that comes out if there is as clean as the one in the reservoir. If not a complete bleed job is due, if it is that is a bonus.

Oct 29, 2015 | 07:41 PM

#22

HBsurfer

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2014

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From: Chino CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsflyer2011

I am interested in your findings here. I have always thought that the Ranger Method would not work for brake fluid. Just my opinion but I think all you are doing is replacing the fluid in the reservoir. I cannot see how the fluid can be rotating through that system.
I hope you are correct but I am very skeptical.
Any experts out there?

Last edited by HBsurfer; Oct 29, 2015 at 07:42 PM.

Oct 30, 2015 | 08:49 AM

#23

teebee

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Southwest Kansas

2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified

2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified

If there are no leaks, then probably the reason for the low fluid is the brake pads are wearing down. The pistons move out allowing more area for fluid behind them, in the brake piston cylinder reducing the amount of fluid in the master cylinder. The system is closed, so those are really the only reasons why it should be low. If you feel comfortable checking the brake pads yourself, you can do that without the need to take it in for service.

Oct 30, 2015 | 10:28 AM

#24

windyC6

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HBsurfer

Seems perfectly logical to me also surfer. Can't think of any way that the fluid could actually re-cycle itself, if you want to call it that.

Oct 30, 2015 | 12:07 PM

#25

Gearhead Jim

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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago

St. Jude Donor '13

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovette

Sure, probably would cause an overflow situation, but standard operating procedures for brake pad replacement should call for removal / reduction of brake fluid from reservoir before brake pad replacement. Some folks recommend opening the bleed valve @ each caliper and then pushing the caliper pistons back into full 'in'
position....this allows the old fluid to exit the brake hydraulic system, rather than pushing it backwards into the reservoir, which I've heard sometimes causes problems with the anti-lock brake valves on some cars.....not sure about this being true, or whether applicable to our corvettes, but just saying...

Me, I suck the old black fluid out of my brake reservoir ever year and add new fluid at the same time as I change / ranger method, my clutch fluid....probably not necessary at all, but makes me feel better and I like to see that new / clear fluid in the reservoir.

Standard Operating Procedures should call for jacking pucks or something similar when lifting a C6.
Unfortunately; what should happen, sometimes doesn't.

Oct 30, 2015 | 02:26 PM

#26

jovette

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From: Des Moines Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim

Standard Operating Procedures should call for jacking pucks or something similar when lifting a C6.
Unfortunately; what should happen, sometimes doesn't.

I agree..... other than educate, I can't do anything about other's stupidity.......

Oct 30, 2015 | 02:48 PM

#27

gsflyer2011

Drifting

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From: Boca Raton Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by windyC6

Seems perfectly logical to me also surfer. Can't think of any way that the fluid could actually re-cycle itself, if you want to call it that.

With all due respect it does, as the new fluid discolors immediately after a short drive. Just like the clutch reservoir, the question was how much and how fast as the volume of the brake fluid is much more than the clutch fluid and so is the distance it has to travel. Just out of curiosity i pulled some fluid out of the right rear caliper, it was the same color as in my brake fluid reservoir, almost new. Having said that this is a wasteful way refreshing the fluid, it would take lot less brake fluid to simply bleed the system. I am however impressed. It would be simply a preventive method, once every 3 months when i replace the clutch reservoir to do the brake reservoir right next to it. This way the brakes don't need be bled every or every two years. It is just hell of a easier than pulling all 4 wheels off and properly bleeding all 2 bleeders on all 4 corners.

Oct 30, 2015 | 10:34 PM

#28

Gearhead Jim

Team Owner

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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago

St. Jude Donor '13

In theory, the brake system is sealed and moisture from the air should not be able to absorb into the fluid.

In practice, moisture does indeed get into the fluid.

I've read that one should not open the fluid reservoir unless necessary, because each opening allows a new batch of moisture-laden (well, not so much in Arizona

) air to sit in the air space of the reservoir and deposit its moisture into the fluid.
(There is also the possibility of dirt/dust getting in when the cap is removed.)

Does anyone know how that works out with the Ranger method?